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hello newbie attending 1st drving school...advice

hey fella's ill be attending my first drving school in april at Limerock CT. I have a 97 540i6 and used to own e36 m3 (1995). Wish i still had that for thew track. anyway im gonna bleed the brakes before and might even change the tranny fluid along with the diff, the car is about to hit 63,000 miles. The only thing that ive been told is to pick up a set of track pads. Any advice with the car or the track would appricate it. thanks fellas harry

If it's your first school I wouldn't go anymore

aggressive than a Hawk HP+, but that's just my opinion. You want to get more education on the car feel, not just good brake pads.<img src="http://mail.roadfly.com/Session/2437-1zjfhKvkbs2Npua6gr5R/WebFile/TheBeach.jpg">

Just a few things ...

You are going to have more fun than you can imagine. I will be at LRP on March 29th. One of the guys on the E31 board will be at LRP with his 850 in April.

I would suggest that you not only bleed your brakes, but get them flushed. You know that brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs water. This lowers the fluid boiling point and will lead to fade - not good as you approach Big Bend. Besides if you are going with BMWCCA, you will have to show a pre-event tech sheet which documents it was inspected by someone familiar with the car and that the brake fluid was changed within 6 months of the event(most of the non-BMWCCA schools have the same requirement).

Remember, don't hold the brakes down and do not use the emergency brake when you have finished - your rotors will be hot and will transfer pad material in blotches leading to rotor shimmy and potentially a stuck pedal or e-brake.

Make sure you bring plenty of water (easy to get dehydrated) and don't forget you need a long-sleeve cotton shirt. Bring some large plastic bags to put stuff from your car in - you have to empty it out for the DE and if it rains your stuff will get wet.

Bring a hat and warm jacket and maybe sunglasses - if you go with BMWCCA chances are you will be required to flag and standing out int he fields for 2 hours can get very cold and wet (not to mention sun-burn even if it is cold).

A comfortable Snell 95 or 2000 helmet (if you are buying, get 2000 - they are only good for 10 years and the '95 will have to be replaced in '06).

Couple more ...

as mentioned by someone else, don't worry about brake pads, unless you are due to get new pads anyway.

Add a few extra pounds of air to your tires. Why? Because you are going to drive them home and while it might reduce grip a bit, it will protect the sidewalls a bit, especially in the front. E39s are heavy cars. You will have a lot of understeer and the front tires will want to roll over. A bit of extra air will help prevent this a little.

Most other folk will do what I do - bring virtually every tool under the sun including air tools. I would suggest bringing a can of extra brake fluid, and wrenches to bleed the brakes while there in case you do get fade. A set of work gloves will make this a little easier (remember those rotors will be HOT).

thanks paul and others...

i have a couple more questiuons why do people use tape on their headlights? also im confused with the helmet thing....how much do they cost and where can i get one from. thanks for your help guys.harry

If you want something inexpensive checkout

a motorcycle helmet. They are cheaper than auto helmets and acceptable for club DE's. The most inexpensive SA helmet is Pyrotect, I think. Something like $200-250.<img src="http://mail.roadfly.com/Session/2437-1zjfhKvkbs2Npua6gr5R/WebFile/TheBeach.jpg">

Re: thanks paul and others...

Tape on the headlights - either to look cool or to protect them from debris flying off the other car's tire and shattering your headlight lens. For the most part, I'd say it is the former rather than the latter especially in the novice run groups running lower speeds and regular (not R-compound, very sticky) tires.

first time tracking ever?

you dont even need pads.........I run there often...great track, very technical, and no time to relax as the straights are not that long. I have heard many pro's say it a tough track to get right...... beautiful country; take some cold weather gear..it snowed last year or two during March/April DE's.......bring a tarp too in case it rains while you are out on track.....windex, headlamp tape, tire gauge....

cool, another e39er. I'll be there

April 9, 15 and 16 with my M5. I agree with the great comments below. For a first event, I also think that OEM pads will be fine at Lime Rock. If you really want dedicated pads, Hawk HT-10 race pads are still the best option for the 540/M5. If you need pads anyway, Axxis Ultimate pads have better fade resistance than OEM while still being rotor-friendly street pads. You'll find more info here:

http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/E39.htm

The "slow in, fast out" mantra is particularly important with the 540 because it tends to understeer. Carry too much speed into the first half of a turn and you'll chew up your front tires and probably miss the apex. Manage your speed from turn-in to the apex, and focus on reapplying power as early as possible. (This will make more sense as the instructor talks you through it).